Junior scores career-high 20 in double-OT loss

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WACO, Texas – Kansas State has played under the motto of “Next man up” this season. After persistent urging from the players, the coaches finally allowed them to put the slogan on T-shirts, which they debuted Saturday during pregame warmups.

Nino Williams showed what the saying is all about.

Williams was called upon to start with Shane Southwell sidelined by an injured foot, and the 6-foot-5 junior forward responded in a big way. Williams scored a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds in the Wildcats’ 87-73 double-overtime loss at Baylor on Saturday.

“My attitude was the same as every game,” said Williams, who made his second start of the season. “I just wanted to bring energy and effort.”

Williams was effective roaming the baseline against Baylor’s zone defense, getting open to make 9 of 17 shots.

“I cut the zone and coach (Bruce Weber) said if I roam the baseline and middle I could get shots,” he said. “My teammates passed me the ball and I made some open shots.”

With Southwell out – Weber doesn’t know for how long – and Thomas Gipson and D.J. Johnson in foul trouble, Williams played 45 out of 50 minutes, limping off the court with 1:30 left in the second overtime when he hurt his left leg.

“He’s been great the last five or six weeks,” Weber said. “We had a talk a while ago and I took some of the blame. We probably didn’t use him as many minutes and we’ve had a lot of discussions with the coaches.

“Nino has a little bit of savvy knowing how to roam. He missed a couple down the stretch but he was probably just tired, playing that many minutes and battling guys that are four or five inches taller than you. Hopefully he continues to give us that kind of effort because it’s contagious.”

Baylor coach Scott Drew wasn’t surprised by the performance turned in by Williams.

“Nino is a really good player,” Drew said. “We knew coming in, start or not start, he’s playing 16 minutes a game and is their second-leading offensive rebounder and an 89-percent free throw shooter. We knew he could shoot, he’s skilled and competes.”